With new Swath XL

SOUTHWEST FARM PRESS STAFF | Sep 21, 2000

Mid-Tech broadens guidance options THIRD IN ITS dynasty of lightbars, Mid-Tech's new Swath XL pairs a lightbar with a hand-held Smartpad to bring greater flexibility and more features to stand-alone guidance.

Swath XL's Smartpad, a simple hand-held interface between the operator and the lightbar, delivers high-priced features at common lightbar prices. Mid-Tech VP Sales & Marketing, Tony Chadwick says, "Swath XL contains many superior features at a very competitive price.

"I believe Swath XL will define what customers will look for in a lightbar for a good long while. It's flexibility, intuitive operation and ability to map and save data demonstrates what a lightbar system can do and should do."

The Swath XL lightbar is fabricated from a polycarbonate alloy that's weather and chemical resistant so it can be mounted outside on the hood, or in the cab. Its extra-bright lights can be easily seen in peripheral vision. A full-range of contrast/brightness adjustment allows the operator to fine-tune the setting in any lighting conditions.

Unlike any other, the Swath XL lightbar features an eight-character text display that cycles your choice of three messages from a multitude of choices. The text display serves other important functions, too.

When DGPS signal is lost, or when an operator approaches a hazard, or enters an area that's already been applied, a warning is displayed to alert them.

Swatch XL is remarkably simple to set up and operate. Initially, the standard parameters are entered, such as swath width, antenna position, and drive sensitivity. After that, it's possible to begin each field by entering only two keystrokes.

The display on the Smartpad helps guide the operator through set-up with drop down menu choices and on-screen description of tasks and menu items. Large, clear keys on the Smartpad enable you to make and name points in the field.

A field boundary can be created while spraying the headland in either direction, and the operator does not need to specify the headland pattern before beginning application.

Swath XL automatically snaps to the next guideline without pushing any buttons. Work is saved to a file on the internal PCMCIA card, and can be downloaded to an office system and saved permanently.

As-applied field maps can be viewed in Mid-Tech's Fieldware Tools software or in most common GIS programs. Flexible to the needs of the market, Mid-Tech's Swath XL can be used with most DGPS receivers.

Midwest Technologies, Inc, is headquartered in Springfield, Ill., with an additional research and development facility in Belgrade, Mont. Mid-Tech carries a full line of DGPS receivers, hardware and software for precision agriculture.

For further information contact Marty Wagner at 217-753-8424 or Elizabeth Marum at 406-388-1993.